Obituary

Ora Dean Cyprian Burris

March 3, 1935 - May 8, 2024

Sister Ora Dean Cyprian Burris was born on March 3, 1935. She was the youngest of nine children born to the late Louis Cyprian and Lucy Brown Cyprian.

Sis. Ora attended school at Folsom Rosenwald and Franklinton, where she was the top student in her class. She was baptized at an early age at Greater Payne Chapel AME Church. Sis Ora was a stay at home mother for many years but eventually joined the workforce. She worked for the St. Tammany Parish School System and retired after 12 years of service. Sis Ora was very skilled with her hands and was also a great cook and baker. She could sew anything and made many of her children’s clothes, very often staying up all night to complete an outfit for her girls. She loved to dress up and would make sure everything matched down to her glasses. Her very favorite thing to wear was her leopard print and hats. She also loved to cook and bake for the holidays and would make sure everyone who came by got a plate and she passed that same love down to her children. She worked diligently in the church. She looked forward to the church’s annual day where she would oversee the head table (pastors table), making sure all the pastors and first ladies got to enjoy her food. Another one of her great talents was reading poems in church. In 1968 she received a standing ovation for reading a poem at the parish fair.

Sis. Ora was married for 60 years and from this union five children were born. She was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. She helped raise four of her grandsons, Derrell, Caleb, Joshua, and Deuce.

Sis. Ora leaves to treasure her memories five loving and faithful children, William Burris of Folsom LA, Donald (Allison) Burris of Lacombe, LA, Calvin Burris, Janice Burris, Deidre (Ricky) Woodson all of Folsom, LA; grandsons, Derrell Burris, Christopher (Alayna) Burris and Courtney Burris, all of Colorado Springs, CO, Corey Burris (Miriam) of St. Petersburg, FL, Caleb Burris, Joshua Burris, Ricky “Deuce” Woodson II all of Folsom, LA; great grandchildren, Asia, Daya, Tristan, Harmony, Genesis, Ellie, Skylar, Solomon, Amenia, Alauric; great-great grandchildren, Nova and Zarieyah; two sisters-in-law, Prophetess Lousie Cyprian of Folsom, LA, Shirley Cyprian of New Orleans, LA and a host of loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Sis. Ora was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Earl Burris; parents, Louis and Lucy Cyprian; a daughter-in-law, Elois Faye Burris; brothers, Bishop Edward Cyprian, Elias and Alonzo Cyprian; sisters, Rosanna (Jessie) Wise, Nicey (Freddie) Garrett, Reverend Luethel (Bernard) Walker and Vertile Hart, Missionary Celia Brumfield (Superintendent Felton); brothers and sisters-in-law, James Wesley (Emma Rose) Burris, Millard (Augustine) Burris, Bishop J.L. (Thelma) Burris, Lizzie (Saul) Cryer, and Lillie Pearl (Sherman) Williams.

A viewing will be held Saturday, May 25, 2024 from 9:00AM until 11:00AM with a funeral service beginning at 11:00AM at Greater Payne A.M.E. Church in Folsom, LA with Rev. Mary Guy Pastor- Officiating. Internment will be held at The Folsom Community Cemetery. 

Crain and Sons Funeral Home in Franklinton, Louisiana is in charge of arrangements.